A 13-year-old girl who sustained critical injuries when her clothing became entangled in a ski lift at a hill in Wakefield, Quebec, has passed away, as confirmed by her family. The tragic news was shared in a statement issued by Ottawa children’s hospital CHEO on Sunday.
Expressing their devastation, the family extended gratitude for the support and love from the community during this difficult time. They also conveyed appreciation to those who made valiant efforts to rescue their child. The incident occurred during a class trip to Centre Vorlage near Wakefield, Quebec, on February 11, as the girl was disembarking the chairlift at the hill’s summit when her garments got caught in the machinery.
Despite attempts by adults to free her, it was determined that bringing the chairlift back to the base of the hill was the safest way to assist her. Unfortunately, upon reaching the bottom, she was found unresponsive. Immediate responders, including two doctors present at the scene, performed CPR before transporting her to the hospital in Wakefield and later to CHEO.
The family expressed gratitude to CHEO for their care and mentioned the donation of the girl’s organs. In a separate statement in French to Radio-Canada, Alexandre Gaboury, co-owner of Centre Vorlage, conveyed deep sorrow over the girl’s passing, offering heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.
Following the incident, Centre Vorlage temporarily closed and announced plans to reopen its restaurant on Monday, with a gradual resumption of hill activities on Tuesday. Authorities are conducting investigations into the incident, with the MRC des Collines police and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario involved due to the girl’s passing in Ottawa.
The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), responsible for ski lift inspections in the province, identified and rectified non-conformities at Centre Vorlage following the incident. The ski lifts were temporarily closed for corrective measures but have since been cleared for operation after addressing the identified issues.
Yves Juneau, CEO of the Quebec Ski Areas Association, acknowledged the gravity of the accident and emphasized the rigorous safety standards and frequent inspections enforced in Quebec’s ski lift operations. He assured that the incident at Centre Vorlage was likely an isolated occurrence, underscoring the industry’s commitment to safety protocols.